JOURNAL ARTICLE

Assisted oocyte activation does not overcome recurrent embryo developmental problems.

  • Published In: Human Reproduction, 2023, v. 38, n. 5. P. 872 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Barberán, A Cardona; Bonte, D; Boel, A; Thys, V; Paredis, R; Machtelinckx, F; Sutter, P De; Croo, I De; Leybaert, L; Stoop, D; Coucke, P; Meerschaut, F Vanden; Heindryckx, B 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates whether assisted oocyte activation (AOA), a technique using calcium ionophores to artificially induce calcium rises, can overcome recurrent embryo developmental problems after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in couples with normal fertilization rates but poor blastocyst formation (≤15%). In a prospective cohort of 42 couples, including 17 who underwent ICSI-AOA cycles, AOA did not significantly improve fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, or live birth rates compared to previous ICSI cycles. Mouse oocyte calcium analysis showed normal calcium oscillation patterns induced by patient sperm, suggesting embryo developmental issues were likely oocyte-related rather than due to calcium signaling deficiencies. Genetic screening of female subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) genes and the male PLCZ1 gene revealed only variants of uncertain significance, with no clearly pathogenic mutations identified. The study concludes that AOA should be reserved for cases with confirmed calcium-release deficiencies, and that embryo developmental problems after ICSI may require alternative personalized approaches, including broader genetic analyses and novel treatments.

Additional Information

  • Source:Human Reproduction. 2023/05, Vol. 38, Issue 5, p872
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Anatomy and Physiology
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0268-1161
  • DOI:10.1093/humrep/dead051
  • Accession Number:163463316
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